Centre of the Universe
After this Boston Globe piece, the fine folks of Newton Centre couldn’t look more idiotic if they changed their name to Newton Upper Lower.
Seems the Panera Bread cafe and bakery chain wants to set up shop in that tony town, but the Centre-niks want none of it.
[S]ome residents and businesses say Newton Centre, already struggling with traffic and parking issues, can’t afford the additional strain that would follow the 111-seat Panera. Some also object to a fast-food establishment in what they see as a quaint New England village – despite the fact that Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Starbucks all operate there.
Wait . . . it gets worse.
Ellen Kaplansky, co-owner of Pie Bakery and Café in Newton Centre, opposes Panera because she said customers already can’t find parking. Regulars have called asking her to run something out to their car when they can’t find a spot, she said.
But it’s not just parking – it’s about the very “identity” of Newton Centre.
“Newton Centre is based on the village philosophy,’’ said Kaplansky. Newton is “divvied up into villages so there is a community within the larger city.’’
And Newton Centre, like all the villages, has its own charm and personality, she added.
“I think it’s about independently owned businesses,’’ she said. “I just don’t think it was ever intended to have this huge chain.’’
Puh-leeze. This is about locking a direct competitor out. Spare us that pie-in-the-sky nonsense.
No Nook-y
Coincidentally, gizmo gurus Walter Mossberg (Wall Street Journal) and David Pogue (New York Times) both reviewed Barnes & Nobles’ Nook e-reader yesterday.
At launch, the Nook has the feel of a product with great potential that was rushed to market before it was fully ready.
To use the technical term, it’s slower than an anesthetized slug in winter.
The folks at Amazon slept beautifully last night.
Campaign Outsider 